Not long after the last grading of 2013, Kevin O'Donnell sent me a message on FaceBook with an idea, a very good idea as well I might add:
"I was talking last week to a young white belt who was
scared of what she might face (at a grading). I wondered if there is something that you could be put together to perhaps help
alleviate some of the apprehension faced prior to the first time grading."
Ironically, Kevin started training a few months ago and will be going for his first grading in March 2014. Good luck Kevin!
Anyway, this got me thinking back to when my daughter did her first few gradings. She was really scared. It was a big hall with all these other students most of whom she didn't know. It really was a big deal for her and she did freeze up and there were tears. If it wasn't for the help if her instructor, Mr Chahal, she would probably still be at white belt but shes now got over the nerves, grown in confidence and will be going for her 1st Dan black belt later this year (2014).
When you're up there in front of everyone, it can be scary and intimidating but there's a really important thing to remember - No one is there to make you or even wants to see you fail. If your instructor didn't think you were ready for a grading they wouldn't be putting you forward. Keep in mind that your fellow graders also want to see you do well. That's one of the great things about TaeKwonDo with our clubs; we all encourage each other to get over those hurdle and improve ourselves. We want to see each other win and move forward.
"So what can I expect at a grading?"
It's a very formal process and this is what some people can find intimidating, but once you know the format and done it a few times it becomes second nature and you'll probably relax a bit more. I'll describe it here but if you want more information or a mock-grading, please ask your instructor who will be happy to explain this and help you further.
First off, arrive early. Your instructor will let you know before the grading the start time. Usually its early morning (Ayrshire clubs) or early afternoon (Glasgow clubs), but whatever one it is try and get there a bit before hand. This allows you to get "the feel" of the place and you can and relax into the environment. But also being late is considered disrespectful.
You'll be asked to "line out" in your grade groups, just like what happens when you start training in class. When facing the top table, its white belts on the far left up to red belts on the far right. From here a roll call is taken, this is to ensure everyone who is grading is actually there. Remember to say "here sir!" or "here ma'am!" in a loud voice when the instructor calls your name so they know you are there. Don't try and be small and hide, this is your time, so shine and start it loud and proud.
Theory questions are next. Now this is the point where most people get the most nervous (I certainly did). Nine times out of ten I hear people talking about how they've forgotten all their theory and then afterwards they're saying they got all their questions right! Usually its 3 questions you're asked and as long as you do the study it will come back to you when you're asked your questions. There are standard meanings for punch (jirugi), block (makgi) and kick (chagi) so if you are asked what reverse punch is, it's going to end with jurigi... incidentally reverse punch is bandae jurigi... and no I didn't have to look that up, but I do spend time studying the theory and eventually it does sink in. When your name is called, go up to the instructor asking the questions, bow and always end your answer and either "sir" or "ma'am". When you've been asked all your questions and the instructor dismisses you, bow and say "thank you sir" or "thank you ma'am" and go to the back of your line.
"Those people asking me questions are scary and I've forgotten my theory"
Having a blank moment? Don't worry about it, these things happen. Also
the black belts asking you questions aren't scary... no really, they aren't! They've been where
you are now so they know how nerves can be a big factor. Just take a deep breath, relax and think. I've previously written a blog post on Grading Preparation
and I use the techniques there to study for the theory and it certainly works for me. So give it a
try and see what works for you. Small amounts often are better than trying to cram it all in over
the last few days.
All the grades do their theory first and once that's completed, at the Ayrshire gradings, one of the instructors will call all the white belts over and take them through a mock-grading. For the Glasgow clubs, Mr McMillan has intimated to me that he runs through a mock-grading a couple of weeks before the actual grading. This mock will be exactly what you've learned in class with the linework (blocks, punches and some block/punch combinations), exercises (leg raise and pushups) and your first patterns saju jirugi 1 (low block) and saju jirugi 2 (middle block). All these are on the sheet provided to you by your instructor so remember to read through it. During inclass preparation for gradings, if you are confused or stuck with something, ask your instructor as that's what they are there for.
After this everyone lines out again in their grade groups while the examiner and senior instructor enters the hall. After the top table is introduced, the groups are dismissed and as a white belt you'll be up first so listen for your name. When your name and position number are called reply "here sir!" and run quickly to the designated number on the floor. The senior instructor will indicate where the number is so you know where to stand. Once all the positions are filled the instructor will call out which blocks/punches/exercises to do. Remember when starting off its with right foot and right hand. Don't worry if you make a mistake, you're doing the same technique a few times so correct yourself and keep going. After the linework its patterns next and the senior instructor will call out which pattern(s) to do. Take your time and show each move clearly, don't rush and make it all a blur. Its not a race to see who can finish first.
"I'm scared of making a mistake"
Want
to know a little secret? Making a mistake isn't a problem. I've done it
before at more than one grading. Just keep going and don't beat
yourself up about it. If you make a mistake in your pattern then just
stop, take a deep breath and start again. I've done this before myself
and at a recent grading one of the young blue stripes did the same thing
and he did exactly that... stop, compose, start again. What to remember
is if you do have start a pattern again, don't rush it. As I said above, its not a race
to get to the end. Take your time and make it look even better than it
did first time round.
As a white belt, after your patterns are completed
you'll normally be dismissed (haessan) and the next group will be called up for
their assessment. Its considered good manners to wait until every other
grade group has completed their own gradings. Once every group has been called, all the students line out again like at the beginning of the grading, the senior instructor and examiner will usually have a few words of encouragement for everyone whose graded, then grading is closed and everyone is dismissed.
Congratulations! You've completed your grading and the next one wont seem so bad.
For
young kids who are feeling scared it can sometimes be hard for their parents to help
overcome these fears. If your child is feeling scared and close to
tears, don't panic as it will just make them worse. Speak to their
instructor as in nearly all cases they can help give your child a bit of a
confidence boost. From experience with my own kids, they tend to listen to their instructor more than they do my wife or myself.
If you're an adult feeling anxious then deep slow breathing can help, breath from your diaphragm and not from your chest. This type of breathing slows down a racing heart and helps to calm you down. Speak to some of your fellow students too, a nervousness shared is a nervousness halved.
Overall, enjoy the grading process. While its there to show the examiners you know the syllabus, its also a great social event and way of meeting and getting to know students and instructors from other clubs. So if you see me at the next one, come up and introduce yourself. I don't bite! :)
I'd like to thank Karen Harley, Kulwant Chahal and Scott McMillan for their input with this article.
